MLB Player News

The Blue Jays have designated infielder Chris Colabello for assignment, clearing a 40-man roster spot for pitcher Jason Aquino, who was acquired in a trade Wednesday.

Colabello was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays in early December. He hit .229/.282/.380 with six home runs sand 39 RBI in 205 at-bats with the Twins while dealing with a thumb injury for much of the season.

With Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton doubtful for the start of the season due to shoulder surgery, his absence could open the door for more playing time in the outfield for Matt Joyce and Collin Cowgill. It could also mean more at-bats for C.J. Cron at DH, according to the Los Angeles Times.

“We don't envision this being a long-term issue, but 6-8 weeks is not a short-term thing,” general manager Jerry Dipoto said of Hamilton's injury. “We'll have a better idea when he gets back on the field doing baseball things.”

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu might see a dip in playing time at first with the addition of Adam LaRoche, but he is preparing to be ready all season long.

"I'm excited about the depth we have right now," Abreu said. "That is something good and will put us in the position to compete and I'm very excited about that. 

"I've been working the same way on my defense. It doesn't matter if I'm playing more or less games because that is part of my game. I have to be a complete player and I can't work less and still be that. I have the same mentality, it doesn't matter who will be on the team. I just prepare myself to be successful and 100 percent on the field."

Abreu hit .317 in 2014 with 36 home runs and 107 RBI. He was also unanimously voted the AL Rookie of the Year.

With the signing of Colby Rasmus, the Astros have an even more crowded outfield, but it also means Houston won't have to lean on Evan Gattis to play primarly in left field.

In fact, Astros general manager Jeff Lunhow expects Gattis to occasionally play in left field, but to primarily play at first base and DH. Although, that doesn't bode well for playing time for Jon Singleton and Chris Carter.

“We don’t know what Gattis is going to look like in left field,” Luhnow said, per the Houston Chronicle. “If he’s good out there or adequate, I’m sure he’ll get some at-bats out there. Is he going to be our everyday left fielder? I can’t imagine that happening with the guys that we have, but we want to have that bat in the lineup.

“Guys that have options are going to have to prove to us that they belong in the big leagues. I don’t think it’s just Singleton. Like I said, we’ve got multiple options at every position on the diamond now. So, you know, players may not be playing their preferred position -- that puzzle will come together in spring training. We’re only guessing to try to figure it out right now.”

The Astros have avoided arbitration with designated hitter Chris Carter, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Carter is set to make $4.175 million next season. He's coming off a season in which he hit .227/.308/.491 over 507 at-bats. The 28-year-old hit 37 home runs. 

The Rays have finalized a one-year deal with infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, reports CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman on Friday. Cabrera is expected to make $7.5 million in 2015.

The two-time All-Star hit .241 with 14 home runs, 31 doubles and 61 RBI in 146 games in 2014. In 24 career games at Tropicana Field, Cabrera has a .237 average, two triples, three home runs, four doubles and nine RBI.

While Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. looks to trade first baseman Ryan Howard, there are some obstacles to completing a deal, including Howard being able to block trades to 20 teams, according to ESPN.

Under the terms of Howard's contract, the 35-year-old veteran can only be traded to nine teams without his permission. Those nine teams are the Tigers, Royals, Angels, Mariners, Yankees, Rangers, Rays, Orioles and Red Sox, a source familiar with Howard's contract told ESPN.

Howard, who hit .223 with 23 home runs and 95 RBI in 153 games in 2014, still has two years left on his contract. He is due to make $25 million each of the next two seasons. He also has a $23 million team option for 2017, which includes a $10 million buyout.

The Rays are close to a deal with infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The 29-year-old Cabrera spent all of his career with the Indians before being traded to the Nationals in July. The two-time All-Star hit .241 with 14 home runs, 31 doubles and 61 RBI in 146 games in 2014. He has a career .268/.330/.409/.740 slash line over eight MLB seasons.

In 24 career games at Tropicana Field, Cabrera has a .237 average, two triples, three home runs, four doubles and nine RBI.

The Orioles and the Phillies discussed a package deal that included outfielder Marlon Byrd and first baseman Ryan Howard during the winter meetings, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports Saturday.

According to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman, the Orioles are one of eight teams on Howard's pre-approved list for trades. An American League team seems like an ideal landing spot for the veteran, who could spend the final two years of his contract as a designated hitter. However, according to Heyman, there's "not a lot there at the moment" between the two clubs.

Howard has two years and a guaranteed $60 million remaining on his contract, with a $23 million option for 2017. He slashed .223/.310/.380 with 23 homers, 95 RBI while also striking out 190 times over 569 at-bats last season

The Phillies and Orioles have talked about first baseman Ryan Howard this week, the New York Daily News reports.

It's unclear how much interest the Orioles have in Howard, a player who has declined in recent years and is owed $25 million in each of the next two seasons as well as a $10 million buyout of his 2017 option. He hit .223/.310/.380 with 23 home runs and 95 RBI in 569 at-bats in 2014.